I recently went on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica. It was a weeklong faculty lead program that began on January 7th and went through the 14th. Probably the most obvious positive thing about going on the trip was that while it was freezing cold and snowing at home, I was nice and warm in Costa Rica. The program was supposed to focus on eco-agriculture and the majority of the trip took place on a coffee farm in Monteverde. However, the trip was interdisciplinary and open to any major and after attending the program I believe that the focus should be listed as on community service. This is just a clarification on what I think the focus of the trip really is and definitely not a complaint, I honestly don’t know how I could have enjoyed my trip any more than what I did. It was an amazing trip with gorgeous sights and great people. Costa Rica was a wonderful place to learn about another culture, complete some community service, and grow as a person.
The Costa Rican culture by itself was an unforgettable experience. One cannot be in Costa Rica very long without hearing the phrase “pura vida.” Translated to English it means “pure life,” but it is so much more than a simple phrase to the Costa Rican people. It can be used for saying hello, have a good day and a wide variety of other meanings. Pura Vida goes beyond just a phrase and is often considered the Costa Rican way of life. The people of Costa Rica have a simple, happy way of life. The best way that I can understand “pura vida” after my short time in Costa Rica is that it means no worries. Although the people of Costa Rica do work hard, like Oldemar, who I will discuss later, pura vida is being happy with what you have, and enjoying your life no matter what your life is. Pura Vida is the way that everyone around the world should live and the Costa Ricans have it figured out. I absolutely loved the culture that I experienced while in Costa Rica and I hope that I can follow their lead and I can live my life a little more Pura Vida.
My biggest challenge in going to Costa Rica was thinking that I was better at Spanish then what I really am. I had taken 3 years of Spanish in high school, but had only heard Spanish fluently from my Spanish teacher. The people of Costa Rica talk way quicker than my high school Spanish teacher ever did, and the speed at which they talked made it difficult for me to understand them. However, if I took time to think about what was being said I could usually figure out at least WHAT was being talked about even though I never knew exactly what was being said. After going on this trip, I definitely want a refresher on my Spanish skills, but I would also suggest that students don’t dismiss a great opportunity based on a language barrier. A lot of people in Costa Rica, especially in the touristy areas, speak fairly good English and communication is possible even for people who don’t know any Spanish at all.
The culture of Costa Rica is very unique, but I think the major difference in Costa Rican culture and U.S. culture is the concept of time. In the U.S. we focus so much on time, how fast we can get something done and the necessity of being on time for EVERYTHING. Most the time we run around trying to get everything done by a set time and stressing ourselves out. Costa Rica of course has clocks and you can make plans for a certain time, but it more likely you’re making plans for AROUND a time. People are often late in Costa Rica, but it’s not an insult or showing a lack of respect. The way that the people of Costa Rica use time allows for a much more relaxed way of life. Pura Vida! We both have things that need to get done and daily duties that we must complete. The people of Costa Rica just have their own, calmer, way of doing things.
I saw a lot of interesting things while on my trip to Costa Rica, but because of my chosen major as a civil engineer, one thing that stuck out specifically to me was the bridges. There were numerous beautiful bridges in the mountains of Costa Rica. I feel that the STEM majors often disregard the smaller countries that use less technology as not being able to offer any educational value. However this is not the case at all. After my trip, I believe that as an engineering major we should study some of the engineering methods of other countries as well as our own.
The Active Citizen Continuum has 4 sections, member, volunteer, conscientious citizen and active citizen. Before my trip, I saw myself as a volunteer which means I was well-intentioned but not well-educated about social issues. Now that I have returned from my trip I believe I have moved to active citizen. Active citizen, meaning that community becomes a priority in values and life choices. Community is a big deal in Costa Rica and neighbors seem to always be willing to help each other out. I feel that community has become a value that is much underappreciated in today’s society in the U.S. As a future civil engineer, I must always remember to make the community a priority because the community will be the ones using the projects that I work once I get my degree.
While abroad, I had the opportunity to volunteer at La Bella Tica, a family-owned and operated coffee farm in Monteverde, Costa Rica. We spent the majority of our volunteering time sorting coffee beans and picking coffee berries. (The beans are inside the berries). At first glance, that probably doesn’t sound very helpful. However, the owner of the farm, Oldemar, relies solely on volunteers and his family members to help with every aspect of production. Although numerous volunteers come throughout the year, the flow of volunteers is far from a continuous flow. During the many gaps in volunteers, the farm is ran solely by Oldemar and his family. Every hand is greatly appreciated at La Bella Tica and plays important roles in the production of the coffee. Although my group and I weren’t able to stay and help very long, our small group of 7 people was able to pick bags of berries and sort bucketful’s of beans. Most the work at La Bella Tica is completed by Oldemar and his family, but the work of volunteers allows for the farm to pick up on production and helps offset the slower periods when there is not volunteer help. We came to provide a helping hand on the farm, but Oldemar and his family gave us so much more in return. They were extremely welcoming and it felt like staying with a member of your family. We got to stay in the volunteer cabin that the family build adjacent to their own personal home on the farm. Not only did we get a place to sleep, but Oldemars wonderful wife, Ersi, supplied us with 3 delicious meals a day. Dinner even usually came with dessert! Staying on the farm provided me with a unique experience that you could never get while staying at a hotel. I felt that staying on the farm was the perfect way to immerse myself in the culture of Costa Rica. I might have been a helpful hand on the farm, but regardless of that, I could never thank Oldemar and his family enough for the experience of being at La Bella Tica. I hope to visit them again sometime in the future.
Not only did I get the chance to learn about another culture but I also learned a lot about myself through my trip to Costa Rica. I had never been out of the country or even on an airplane before this trip. A study abroad trip, even for just a week, was VERY far out of my comfort zone. At first I didn’t even want to study abroad, but it was a requirement for a scholarship I had and that was the ONLY reason I was going on the Costa Rica trip. As I accepted the fact I was going, I got very excited, but I was still extremely nervous in the weeks leading up to my trip. Although I was nervous, I was determined to make the most out of the trip that I possibly could and even conquered my fear of heights by zip lining over and through the trees of Monteverde. My parents really thought I would chicken out of zip lining, but I had it set in my mind that I wanted to zip line with my new friends. I figured that sense I was already out of my comfort zone, it was the perfect time to push myself further. I was RIGHT!! I was nervous at first and if I am being completely honest, the large zip lines completely terrified me, but once I got out on the line I was able to calm down and enjoy the view and the adventure. Zip lining in Monteverde was an unforgettable experience and I couldn’t be happier that I did it. I had never pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and happily lived in the boundaries of it. This trip has drastically changed my sense of adventure, it got me out of my comfort zone and I’m never going back in it. I can’t wait to get to do something else that completely terrifies me but will be a lifelong memory. I’m proud of myself for doing things I never thought I could do, and look forward to many more adventures. I am very thankful for that scholarship that pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me discover things about myself that I may have never learned without this trip.
From the welcoming culture of Costa Rica to the wonderful people who came on the trip with me, the trip was a fantastic experience. I am very grateful that I got to take part in this MSU short term program. As a student who originally did not want to study abroad, I suggest that all students who are able to study abroad take advantage of their opportunities. College is a time of learning and there is no better way to learn about another culture and about yourself then a study abroad trip.